export_jvd2012efficacy of a barrier gel for reducing the development of plaque calculus and gingivitis in cats jvd 29 2 8994

Question 1

Efficacy of a Barrier Gel for Reducing the Development of Plaque, Calculus, and Gingivitis in Cats JVD 29 (2) 89-94

Answer 1

Katie Linderman

Question 2

Take home message

Answer 2

1. Plaque levels were lower in treated v control group but no difference in calculus, gingivitis or gingival bleeding between the two groups.
2. Calculus formation does not peak at four weeks past prophy as previously thought.

Question 3

Study Design

Answer 3

Randomized, negative controlled, outcome-evaluator-blinded, client-owned animal, clinical field study.

No studies for barrier gels in felines and need to know if effective when applied by veterinary personnel.

Question 4

Materials and Methods

Answer 4

• 31 client owned cats with dental plaque and gingivitis of at least 1 (0-3)
• all normal canines and PM4s
• gingiva graded and randomly assigned to groups
• all anesthetized, dental cleaning, and the barrier gel applied (it is assumed to the random study cats only)
• barrier gel applied in-clinic on day 0, 14 and then weekly to day 56
• commercial food and no home care
• evaluations for each cat performed by the same person on day 0, 28 and 56

Question 5

Measurements used

Answer 5

Plaque

Calculus

Gingival bleeding

Gingivitis

The buccal surface of the canines and PM4s were evaluated.

Question 6

Plaque Measurement

Answer 6

0 – No plaque film or soft material on tooth, margin or gingiva

1 – Thin film along gingival margin

2 – Moderat accumulation, plaque in the sulcus

3 – Abundant soft material in sulcus

Question 7

Calculus measurement

Answer 7

0 – No calculus

1 – Supragingival calculus extending only to the free gingival margin

2 – Moderate supragingival and subgingival calculus

3 – Abundance of supragingival and subgingival calculus

Question 8

Gingival Bleeding Measurement

Answer 8

0 – Healthy appearance, no bleeding

1 – Apparently healthy, no change in color or swelling but slight bleeding

2 – Bleeding on probing, color change but no swelling

3 – Bleeding with probing, color change and swelling

4 – Bleeding, color change, swelling

5 – Sontaneous bleeding, swelling, color change

Question 9

Gingivitis Measurement

Answer 9

0 – Normal gingiva

1 – Mild inflammation with color change, slight edema and bleeding with probing

2 – Moderate inflammation, redness, edema, bleeding

3 – Severe inflammation

Question 10

Results

Answer 10

• Plaque scores significantly lower on treated cats: both maxillary canines and PM4s on days 28 and 56 and for the mandibular canines on day 56
• Calculus scores were not significantly different
• Gingival bleeding scores were significantly lower for tooth 104, 204, and 308 on day 56 in treated group but overall not significantly different
• Gingivitis significantly less than controls for 308 and 404 on day 56, no overall difference
• No adverse reactions at any time

Question 11

Discussion

Answer 11

• Treated cats mostly had a plaque score of 0 on day 0, 28 and 56, not so with the controls.
• Maxillary arch tended to have more plaque than mandibular arch.
• Calculus index remained unchanged for both groups over entire study.
• Uncontrollable factors include age, physiologic, immunologic, dietary and genetic status.
• Concern that a faux-gel was not applied to the control cats but untreated surfaces were measured
• Study too short to evaluate calculus, gingivitis and bleeding scores